Input apparatus for a computer

ABSTRACT

The invention provides an apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, a games controller and an actuator mounted to a controller. The apparatus comprises a case having a first part and a second part. Each of the first and second parts comprise one or more controls. One of the first and second parts comprises a sensor for determining the position of the first part relative to the second part, wherein the position of the first part relative to the second part provides an input control device.

FIELD

The invention relates to an input apparatus for a computer moreparticularly, but not exclusively, to controllers for controlling theplay of computerized games. Aspects of the invention relate to a devicefor initiating commands or control function of a computer, to an inputdevice and method for a game controller, and to a game controller foruse with a gaming console or other computing device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices such as computers, games consoles, tablet computers,personal digital assistants, portable telephone devices and the like allneed input means for enabling a human user to input commands and otherinformation. The most commonly used input devices comprise key pads,touch pads or screens, buttons and analogue sticks—sometimes calledcontrol sticks, joy sticks or thumbsticks. All of these devices involvethe concept of producing an electric signal as a response to amanipulation, gesture, actuation or movement by the user and as such canbe described as electromechanical input devices.

There are many different types of gaming devices such as, but notlimited to, personal computers, smartphones, tablet computers anddedicated gaming consoles currently available for operating a videogame. For example, Microsoft®, Sony® and Nintendo® manufacture theXbox®, PlayStation® and Wii® gaming consoles, respectively. The gamingdevices may display information to a user via a display screen,projector or headset, for example in virtual reality systems. The gamingconsoles typically include a game controller so that a user can controlthe operation of the video game.

Controllers for most current games consoles are generally intended to beheld and operated by the user using both hands. A conventionalcontroller will generally comprise a hard outer case with a plurality ofcontrols mounted about the controller. Typically the controls includebuttons, analogue control sticks, bumpers and triggers.

Some known game controllers include a form of actuator system for theoperation of control of the functions of the video games. Actuators,buttons or other depressible or manually operable devices are typicallyused for controlling discrete actions such as the firing of a weapon orissuing an attack command. It is known to provide a button, actuator, orother controls, on the front and top of the controller. Controls mountedon the top of the controller are intended to be operable by the indexfingers of a user; such buttons are commonly known as triggers orbumpers. Controls mounted on the front of the controller are intended tobe operable by the thumbs of a user; such controls may include left andright analogue thumb sticks, which normally control movement and areintended to be operated by the user's left and right thumbsrespectively. There may be additional buttons located on a forward rightportion of the front of the controller, which normally controladditional actions and are intended to be operated by the user's rightthumb. There may be provided a direction pad located on the rearwardleft portion of the front of the controller. The direction pad isintended to be operated by the user's left thumb, typically either as analternative to the left thumb stick or to provide additional actions.The controllers typically have a pair of handles or grip portions toenable a user to hold the controller; typically the user will employ themiddle, ring and/or little finger of each hand to grasp a respectivehandle.

Due to the rapidly expanding gaming market and the development ofinvolved games invoking considerable player input, it is desirable forplayers to be able to customize their controllers in order to gainincreased control in a variety of gaming circumstances.

The present invention seeks to improve upon, or at least mitigate, someof the problems associated with controllers of the prior art byproviding a game controller which includes an additionalelectromechanical input device, which provides a user with operationalcontrol of the functions of a video game.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a user withaccess to a plurality (two or more) of control functions from a singleelectromechanical input device. In this regard it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a device having a plurality of distinct ordistinguishable degrees of freedom of movement requiring specificactuation gestures, manipulations or actions to activate a controlfunction associated therewith.

SUMMARY

A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forsupplying user inputs to a computer program, the apparatus comprising:

-   -   a case having a first part and a second part;    -   each of the first and second parts comprising one or more        controls; and    -   at least one of the first and second parts comprising:    -   a sensor for determining the position of the first part relative        to the second part, wherein the position of the first part        relative to the second part provides an input control device.

Optionally, the sensor is analogue.

Optionally, the first part is detachably connected to the second part.

Optionally, the first part is pivotally coupled to the second part by acoupler rotatable about at least one rotation axis.

Optionally, the first part is pivotally coupled to the second part by acoupler rotatable about three orthogonal rotation axes.

Optionally, the coupler comprises a ball joint including a ball andsocket arrangement.

Optionally, the controller comprises a switch mechanism providing adigital input control.

Optionally, the switch mechanism comprises a mechanical switch actuableby displacement of the first part relative to the second part.

Optionally, the first part is mounted to the second part by a sphericalbearing.

Optionally, the first part is mounted to the second part by a trunnionand cradle arrangement.

Optionally, the first and second parts comprise a plurality of controlslocated on a front and top of the apparatus and at least one additionalcontrol located on a rear of the apparatus.

Optionally, each of the first and second parts comprise a handle havingan opening for receiving at least in part a user's hand.

Optionally, the handle comprises a stirrup for engaging with the back ofa user's hand.

Optionally, the first part is moveable with respect to the second partbetween a first condition in which the coupler is stowed at least inpart within one of the first and second parts and a second deployedcondition in which the first part is spaced apart from the second part.

A second aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus forsupplying user inputs to a computer program, the apparatus comprising:

-   -   a case having a first part and a second part;    -   each of the first and second parts comprising one or more        controls;    -   wherein the first part is pivotally coupled to the second part        by a coupler rotatable about at least one rotation axis.

Optionally, the first part is coupled to the second part by a sphericalbearing.

Optionally, the first part is coupled to the second part by a ball andsocket arrangement.

Optionally, the case comprises a plurality of faces including a top,bottom, front and rear, the first and second parts each comprise ahandle shaped to be held in one hand of a user such that the user'sthumbs are positioned to operate controls located on a first one of thefaces of the apparatus and such that the user's index fingers arepositioned to operate controls located on a second one of the faces ofthe apparatus.

In some embodiments the apparatus is a games controller. Furtherfeatures and advantages of the present invention will be apparent fromthe specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings and discussed below.

Within the scope of this application it is envisaged and intended thatthe various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternativesset out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in thefollowing description and drawings may be taken independently or in anycombination thereof. For example, features described in connection withone embodiment are applicable to all embodiments unless there isincompatibility of features

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an input device according to a firstembodiment in a first condition;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the input device of FIG. 1 in secondcondition;

FIGS. 4A to 7 are perspective views of the input device of FIG. 2 instages of manipulation;

FIG. 8A is a plan view of an input device according to a secondembodiment;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the input device of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is an end view of an input device according to a thirdembodiment; and

FIG. 9B is a plan view of an input device according to a fourthembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of computer inputapparatus, game controllers and actuators are disclosed herein. It willbe understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of theway in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and donot represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may beembodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the computer inputapparatus, game controllers and actuators described herein may beembodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are notnecessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimizedto show details of particular components. Well-known components,materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail inorder to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structuraland functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representativebasis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ theinvention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an input device for a computer inthe form of a video game controller 10 according to an embodiment of theinvention. The controller 10 comprises an arrangement of game controlsthat are mounted on the front and top of the controller 10. Thecontroller 10 comprises a left analogue thumb stick 2 and a rightanalogue thumb stick 3 mounted on the front of the controller 10. Theleft analogue thumb stick 2 and the right analogue thumb stick 3normally control movement actions and are intended to be operated by theuser's left and right thumbs respectively. The controller 10 comprisesfour buttons 4, located on a forward right portion of the front of thecontroller 10, which normally control additional in-game actions andthat are intended to be operated by the user's right thumb. Thecontroller 10 comprises a direction pad 5 located on the forward leftportion of the front of the controller 10. The direction pad 5 isintended to be operated by the user's left thumb, and typically is usedeither as an alternative to the left thumb stick 2, or to provideadditional actions.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the controller 10 of FIG. 1. Thecontroller 10 also comprises a left trigger body 6, a right trigger body7, a left bumper 8 and a right bumper 9 located on the top of thecontroller 10. The left and right trigger bodies 6, 7 are typicallyoperated by a user's index fingers or forefingers. The left and rightbumpers 8, 9 may also be operated by a user's index fingers orforefingers.

It can be seen that the left trigger body 6 is mounted below the leftbumper 8 and the right trigger body 7 is mounted below the right bumper9.

It will be understood that the arrangement of game controls illustratedin respect of the present embodiment is optional and may vary in othergame controllers embodying the present invention, which may be appliedto a variety of actuators as described below.

A user may operate the four buttons 4 on the front of the controller byremoving their right thumb from the right thumb stick 3 and placingtheir right thumb upon one or more of the four buttons 4. This operationtakes time and, in some games, can cause a loss of control. This is aparticular problem in applications requiring precision, for examplecombat games, where the right thumb stick 3 is used for aiming a weaponscross-hair or other reticle. A similar problem may arise in games wherethe direction pad 5 provides additional actions and the user is requiredto remove their left thumb from the left thumb stick 2 in order tooperate the direction pad 5.

In light of the above, there is a need for an improved controller whichremoves the requirement for a user to remove their thumbs from the leftor right thumb sticks 2, 3 in order to operate additional actionscontrolled by the four buttons 4 and/or the direction pad 5.

The controller 10 comprises a first handle H_(R) and a second handleH_(L). The first handle H_(R) and the second handle H_(L) are disposedon opposing lateral sides of a central body portion 14. The first handleH_(R) is intended to be grasped in the right hand R of a user. Thesecond handle H_(L) is intended to be grasped in the left hand L of auser. The user wraps one or more of the middle, ring and little fingersof the right hand R about the first handle H_(R). The user wraps one ormore of the middle, ring and little fingers of the left hand L about thesecond handle H_(L).

The controller 10 may comprise one or more actuators in the form ofpaddle levers 11A, 11B. In the illustrated embodiment the controller 10comprises two actuators: a first paddle lever 11A and a second paddlelever 11B, mounted on the rear of the controller 10. Each of the paddlelevers 11A, 11B may be individually or separately mounted. Optionallythe paddle levers are readily detachable without requiring tools. Thepaddle levers 11A, 11B are positioned to be operated by the middle, ringor little fingers of a user.

In the illustrated embodiment each of the actuators extendssubstantially in a longitudinal direction. The longitudinal directionextends from the top—to which the left and right triggers 6, 7 aremounted—of the controller 10 to the bottom of the controller 10.

A user may displace or depress either of the paddle levers 11A, 11B byengaging an outer surface thereof; such displacement causes the actuatedpaddle 11A, 11B to activate at least one switch mechanism. The switchmechanism may be a mechanical switch such as a tact or tactile switch, amagnetic switch such as a Hall sensor, an optical sensor, or a touchsensor such as, but not limited to, a capacitive touch switch orresistive touch switch.

The controller 10 comprises a first part 16A coupled to a second part16B by a coupler 18 as shown in FIG. 3. The first part 16A comprises thefirst handle HR and a portion of the central body portion 14, to whichthe right thumbstick 3, buttons 4, right bumper 9, right trigger 7 andsecond paddle lever 11B are mounted. The second part 16B comprises thesecond handle HL and a portion of the central body portion 14, to whichthe left thumbstick 2, direction pad 5, left bumper 8, left trigger 6and first paddle lever 11A are mounted.

The coupler 18 may take the form of a hinge or joint. Optionally thejoint is a ball joint or other suitable coupler which enables the firstpart 16A to be rotated with respect to the second part 16B about threemutually orthogonal axes x, y, z. In other embodiments the hinge orjoint may be adapted to rotate about one axis or two orthogonal axes.

In still other embodiments the coupler 18 may take the form of agyroscope.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the controller 10 can beoperated in a first condition in which the first and second parts 16A,16B are disposed in close proximity. This may be considered a closed orstowed condition. The controller 10 may comprise a securing device 20for holding the first and second parts 16A, 16B together. The securingdevice 20 may take the form of one or more permanent magnets 20A, 20Bfor engaging with another permanent magnet or magnetic material 20A,20B.

In other embodiments the securing device 20 may take the form of a catchor latch 20A and a retainer 20B for receiving the catch. The securingdevice 20 may comprise a release mechanism for releasing the catch. Thefirst and second parts 16A, 16B may be resiliently biased with respectto each other such that when the catch is released the first and secondparts automatically separate or move away from one another so as to bespaced apart from one another.

The controller 10 may comprise an alignment guide 22/24. The alignmentguide may take the form of at least one projection and at least onecomplementary recess for receiving the projection when the first andsecond parts 16A, 16B are aligned. In the illustrated embodiment thealignment guide comprises a lug 22 and a lug receiver 24. In otherembodiments the alignment guide may take the form of a tongue and groovearrangement; a ridge or tongue may be provided around at least a portionof the peripheral edge of the end of one of the first and second parts,and a groove or trough around at least a portion of the peripheral edgeof the end of the other one of the first and second parts, wherein thefirst and second parts are brought into an overlapping relationship withone another when in abutment.

The controller 10 comprises at least one sensor for determining therelative position or orientation of the first part 16A with respect tothe second part 16B. In one embodiment the controller 10 may comprise afirst sensor 28, for example in the form of a potentiometer or Hallsensor, for measuring an electrical characteristic such as resistance,or a magnetic characteristic such as a magnetic field strength or fluxdensity or polarity. Other sensors may be employed which measure otherelectrical characteristics such as capacitance or inductance. Theelectrical characteristic of the potentiometer or the magneticcharacteristic of the Hall Effect sensor may change or vary dependingupon the position of the first part 16A with respect to the second part16B. In this way the first sensor 28 may be employed to provide acontrol function. The first sensor 28 may employ two or morepotentiometers or Hall sensors so as to enable the relative orientationbetween the first and second parts 16A 16B to be determined in two ormore dimensions or directions.

In some embodiments a separate sensor may be employed to measurerotation about each axis of rotation x, y, z of the coupler.

In some embodiments the sensor 28 may take the form of one or morestrain gauges or torque sensors.

In other embodiments, the first and second parts 16A, 16B may eachcomprise one or more position sensors 30, 32, 34, 36 for example, butnot limited to, accelerometers, gyroscopes, gyro sensors (angular ratesensors or angular velocity sensors), magnetometers, or geomagneticfield sensors.

In still other embodiments the sensors may take the form a plurality ofsensors, arranged at different locations upon the controller. Some ofthe sensors may be transmitters and other sensors may be receivers.Alternatively the sensors may be transceivers. A processing unit may beemployed to compare measured data with reference data so as to enable adetermination of the position and/or orientation of the first part withrespect to the second part.

The controller may comprise a calibration mode to collect the referencedata.

The sensors may transmit electromagnetic radiation, for example but notlimited to radio waves, visible or infrared radiation. The radiation maybe encoded or modulated such that the transmitted signal can be isolatefrom background radiation in the same frequency, in a simple form thismay take the form of pulsing the transmitter between on and off states.The transmitters and receivers may be arranged in pairs. On part of thecontroller comprising the transmitter the other part comprising thereceiver, each transmitter/receiver pair may be individually encoded toavoid interference from other transmitter/receiver pairs.

The transmitter may be Light emitting diodes or laser diodes. Thereceivers may by photo-sensors in the form of photodiodes.

Alternative embodiments may employ a camera or other image sensor suchas a CCD or CMOS image sensor. The image sensor may be coupled to aprocessing unit which compares the captured image with a reference imageto determine the position and/or orientation of the first part withrespect to the second part.

It will be appreciated that the controller may employ a number sensorsof different types.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the controller in a first mode of operation inwhich the first and second parts 16A, 16B are in a stowed condition.

FIGS. 3 to 7 illustrate the controller in a second mode of operation inwhich the first and second parts 16A, 16B have been opened by displacingone with respect to the other. The first and second parts 16A, 16B inthe opened condition are rotatable with respect to each other; in thisway the coupler 18 and sensor 28 form part of an actuator mechanismenabling the controller 10 to control a further control function.Advantageously, the user needs only to move one hand with respect to theother to access the additional control function. The user does not haveto relinquish control over any of the other controls with which they areengaged.

In the opened condition the relative movement between the first andsecond parts 16A, 16B may be used to provide an input to a computer (notshown).

In other embodiments the relative position of the first part 16A withrespect to the second part 16B may be adjusted for ergonomic reasons soas to enhance the comfort of the user and may, for example, reduce thelikelihood of repetitive strain injury or fatigue of the user.

FIGS. 4A to 7 illustrate the controller 10 in use. In FIGS. 4A to 5B,the first and second parts 16 a, 16B of the controller 10 are rotatedwith respect one another about the x axis. In FIGS. 6A to 7 the firstand second parts 16 a, 16B of the controller 10 are rotated with respectone another about the z axis.

In some embodiments the controller 10 may comprise a switch mechanismassociated with the coupler 18. The switch mechanism may be activated bypushing one of the first and second parts 16A, 16B towards the other ofthe first and second parts 16A, 16B. In such embodiments the controller10 may be fixed or secured in the open condition; in this way, theswitch mechanism may be activated when the controller 10 is disposed inthe open condition. In some embodiments the first part 16A and secondpart 16B may be arranged such that the switch mechanism can be activatedin the closed or stowed condition. This may be achieved by configuringthe controller 10 such that the first and second parts 16A, 16B can bedisplaced towards each other when in the closed or stowed condition. Thedegree of freedom of movement need only be sufficient to actuate aswitch mechanism such as a tact switch. The first and second parts 16A,16B may be resiliently biased to return to the stowed position afteractuation of the switch mechanism. In this way the switch mechanism mayprovide yet another control function, or may alternatively replicate acontrol function provide by one of the other actuators or buttons.

Alternatively, the first part 16A may be permanently spaced apart fromthe second part 16B, that is to say the controller 10 may not comprisethe stowed position in which the coupler 18 is disposed internally ofthe housing of the first part 16A, second part 16B or both.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A to 9B, there are shown alternativeembodiments. In the second, third and fourth illustrated embodimentslike numerals have, where possible, been used to denote like parts,albeit with the addition of the prefix “100”, “200”, “300” to indicatethat these features belong to the second, third and fourth embodimentsrespectively. The alternative embodiments share many common featureswith the first embodiment and therefore only the differences from theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be described in any greaterdetail.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first part 116A may bedetached from the second part 116B so as to be separated therefrom. Inthis embodiment the degree of movement between the first and secondparts 116A, 116B is not limited by the chassis, housing or other partsof the controller 110 since the first part 116A is free from connectionto the second part 116B.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9A each of the first and second parts of thecontroller 210 (only the second part 216B is visible) comprises astirrup or strap S which defines in part an orifice or opening 240 forreceiving one or more fingers of a user's hand. The strap S enables theuser to engage with an internal surface 244 of the strap S with the backof the fingers inserted in the opening O. The user may also engage orgrasp the outer surface 242 of the handle HL. The strap S may facilitatemanipulation of the first part (not shown in FIG. 9A) with respect tothe second part 216B. The internal surface 244 of the strap S or theouter surface 242 of the handle HL may be contoured so as to define oneor more, optionally two or three, finger receiving grooves or recesses.In other embodiments the position of the strap S may be varied, forexample the strap S may be arranged so as to extend over the back of auser's hand rather than the back of the fingers, see FIG. 9B.

In this way the user can insert at least a portion of their hand intothe handle on each side of the controller 310. The handles enable theuser to hold the controller 310 without requiring them to grasp or gripthe handles H_(L), H_(R) by closing their fingers thereabouts. In thisway the user may employ any finger to activate the controls thereon.

The present disclosure provides a controller and an actuator mechanismmounted to a controller. The actuator mechanism enables a user to accessat least one control function by manipulation of the actuator mechanism.The user may manipulate the actuator by holding the controller in bothhands and moving one of their hands with respect to the other hand. Insome embodiments of the present disclosure there is provided an actuatorwhich can be stowed away when not in use. The actuator may comprise aplurality of distinct or distinguishable degrees of freedom of movement;the actuator requires specific manipulations or actions to activate adesired one of a plurality of control functions associated with theactuator.

In one embodiment there is provided a controller having a first part andsecond part, at least one of which comprises a sensor for determiningthe relative position of the parts, the relative position may includethe relative orientation of the first and second parts.

It is envisaged that the controllers may be coupled to a games consoleor computer by a wired connection or by a wireless connection device.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scopeof the present invention. Whilst in the foregoing embodiments the inputdevice has been described with reference to a hand held games controllerfor use with a home video games console or other personal computer, inalternative embodiments the input device may be employed with other handheld electronic devices, for example but not limited to a portablehandheld games console (a single unit comprising the console, screen,speakers, and controls), a mobile telephone, tablet computer, phabletcomputer. The input device may be integrated within such portabledevices or may form part of an accessory apparatus such as, but notlimited to, a case or caddy or other removable jacket arranged toaccommodate the portable input device for use with a virtual realitysystem.

In some embodiments the input device may take the form of a keyboard,such as but not limited to a QWERTY keyboard. A first part of thekeyboard comprises a first portion of the keys and a second part of thekeyboard comprises a second portion of the keys. In such embodiments thefirst and second parts of the keyboard may be manipulated so as toadjust the orientation of the first and second parts with respect toeach other, in order to provide an ergonomic shape adaptable to thedesired orientation of the user.

The keyboard may comprise one or more stirrups or straps to enable theuser to hold the keyboard with one or both hands. The coupler may beadapted so as to provide an analogue input actuator similar to that of amouse or tracker ball. In this way the user need not rest the keyboardupon a desk. One or more actuators may be provided upon the rear orbottom surface of the keyboard. Such actuators may take the form ofpaddle levers, button or keys. The rear mounted actuators may provideadditional functionality for example to enable switching between twomode of operation for example a “keyboard mode” in which the keys areenabled and the analogue actuator is disabled, and a “mouse mode” inwhich the keys are disabled and the analogue actuator is enabled. Therear mounted actuators may replicate functions provided by the frontmounted keys, for example but not limited to those keys of aconventional keyboard normally operated by a user's thumb such as thespace bar, thus enabling the user the grasp the keyboard with theirthumbs disposed about the rear of the keyboard.

It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references suchas “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”,“upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective features to suchorientation, but merely serve to distinguish these features from oneanother.

1. An apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, theapparatus comprising: a case having a first part and a second part; eachof the first and second parts comprising one or more controls; and atleast one of the first and second parts comprising: a sensor fordetermining the position of the first part relative to the second part,wherein the position of the first part relative to the second partprovides an input control device.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the sensor is analogue.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the first part is detachably connected to the second part. 4.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first part is pivotallycoupled to the second part by a coupler rotatable about at least onerotation axis.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the firstpart is pivotally coupled to the second part by a coupler rotatableabout three orthogonal rotation axes.
 6. The apparatus according toclaims claim 4 wherein the coupler comprises a ball joint including aball and socket arrangement.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 4wherein the controller comprises a switch mechanism providing a digitalinput control.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the switchmechanism comprises a mechanical switch actuable by displacement of thefirst part relative to the second part.
 9. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the first part is mounted to the second part by aspherical bearing.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thefirst part is mounted to the second part by a trunnion and cradlearrangement.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the firstand second parts comprise a plurality of controls located on a front andtop of the apparatus and at least one additional control located on arear of the apparatus.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 whereineach of the first and second parts comprise a handle having an openingfor receiving at least in part a user's hand.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 12 wherein the handle comprises a stirrup forengaging with the back of a user's hand.
 14. The apparatus according toclaim 4 wherein the first part is moveable with respect to the secondpart between a first condition in which the coupler is stowed at leastin part within one of the first and second parts and a second deployedcondition in which the first part is spaced apart from the second part.15. The apparatus for supplying user inputs to a computer program, theapparatus comprising: a case having a first part and a second part; eachof the first and second parts comprising one or more controls; whereinthe first part is pivotally coupled to the second part by a couplerrotatable about at least one rotation axis.
 16. The apparatus accordingto claim 15 wherein the first part is coupled to the second part by aspherical bearing.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein thefirst part is coupled to the second part by a ball and socketarrangement.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the casecomprises a plurality of faces including a top, bottom, front and rear,the first and second parts each comprise a handle shaped to be held inone hand of a user such that the user's thumbs are positioned to operatecontrols located on a first one of the faces of the apparatus and suchthat the user's index fingers are positioned to operate controls locatedon a second one of the faces of the apparatus.